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USING A MOBILE PHONE WHILE DRIVING

Using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving is illegal. This includes situations where the car is stationary such as waiting in a queue of traffic, at level crossings or traffic lights.

Whilst driving if you need to use your mobile phone then you must pull over and park in a safe, legal place.

The exception to the rule is for calls to 999 that are a genuine emergency and where it would be unsafe or impractical to stop.

If you are using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving and are caught doing so by the police then you will incur a fixed penalty fine of £60 and three penalty points will be added to your driving licence. If as is your right, you contest the fixed penalty and the case is then heard in court the fine you incur could rise to a maximum of £1000.

It is also worth noting that points on your licence will increase the cost of your car insurance.

The regulations governing driving and the use of mobile phones also apply to anyone supervising a learner driver. Driving instructors, professional or otherwise, cannot use a hand-held mobile phone whilst teaching.

The regulations do not cover hands-free equipment, provided that the phone can be used without actually holding it.